Punjab sugar output tops 0.43m tonnes this season

LAHORE: Sugar mills in Punjab have so far produced slightly over 0.43 million tonnes of sugar during the ongoing crushing season, supported by uninterrupted operations across the province, according to Cane Commissioner Punjab Amjad Hafeez.

He stated that mills have completed crushing of 5.41 million tonnes of sugarcane to date, while total sugar stocks in Punjab have reached 0.54 million tonnes as of December 9. These include 112,116 tonnes carried over from last year, a volume he described as comfortably above provincial requirements.

The Cane Commissioner noted a marked reduction in sugar prices since the start of the season. The ex-mill price, previously ranging between Rs171–178 per kg, has declined to Rs154–163 per kg, reflecting a drop of Rs15–17 per kg. Retail prices have similarly fallen by Rs10–15 per kg, with expectations of further easing in the coming days, he hoped. He said growers are currently being paid between Rs375 and Rs480 per 40 kg for their sugarcane, and that mills are ensuring timely payments. However, mills are deducting Rs2.5 to Rs5 per 40 kg under the cess head.